I was fortunate to be at the 1995 World Cup final and it was a terrific experience! An AB side that was filled with fabulous players and a match which could have gone either way. Andrew Mertens is a great ambassador for our sport and such a pleasure to hear him being so gracious.
Andrew is also one of South Africa's favourites. Most of us still remember him flipping off the Bulls crowd after beating them in Super Rugby with a dropgoal.
Best first five that I have ever seen His ability to set up his outside backs with his bullet pass I have never seen a player who can pass like he did He as real pace & he could read a game
mehrts is the best passer I've seen, perfect link with some of the GOAT attacking backs ever... grew up kicking like him off the yellow tee, spiralling kicks like him. Had an AB's shirt with 10 on it. Legend. I remember finishing school one day and going to the Tauranga Domain, Mehrts was playing 10 for BoP (I think, he stayed with Titch) coming back from injury. I remember it clearly because he shanked a goal kick from 40m out barely higher than the bar :D Wet, muddy game.
Such a character Merts, remember him being subbed on for DC near the end of his career when they were losing & he just took the game by the scruff of the neck and won it for them 🍺🍺
@@JamesSmith-qr7be Yeah, I think that's the game, unless he's talking about another one. Carter was playing 12. That was also the infamous Ben Blair horror show.
So very true Marshy. Mehrts was one of the best ever and DC learned game management from him in those early days. The way Mehrts could pass both ways and cut out two or three men and hit the wing accuratetly and at pace was legendary. And on top of that, Andrew is a great guy.
If South Africa didn't win the 1995 Rugby World Cup the trajectory of the political landscape of the rainbow nation would have been completely different. That is a very big thing to say but every adversity and every national situation after that win was always contextualised within the glorious truth that we had won a Rugby World Cup. So, in a bizarre way the pain that the All Blacks went through at that stage meant so much for the citizens of a nation that was facing serious challenges and would continue to face serious challenges for years to come. Additionally, the All Blacks must have been galvanised or something by that experience since they literally dominated the world from that moment onwards. The media keeps mentioning the period between 2011 and 2018 or whatever but actually a more truthful reflection would be basically 1996 to 2018 and truth be told it's not as if it has dropped off catastrophically since 2018. All that happened is that the rest of the Rugby world got their house in order and are able to compete in the big games. It is something that gives me nightmares but it has to be said that the All Blacks are the ultimate competitors and if it were not for them my life as a South African would be way less enjoyable.
Not sure that's quite true. We lost 5 tests in a row in 98, and the wallabies were the dominant southern hemisphere team in the early 00s. Probably from 07 onwards we were undoubtedly the best team in the world despite losing in the world cup.
Always loved the Spencer vs Merhts rivilary. Both played different brand of rugby epitomizes the Auckland and Canterbury philosophies of the game. Auckland free flowing, "polynesian" flair, theyll run it from their 22 because they had weapons outwide in the likes of Jonah and Joeli. Canterbury played conservative, terroritory and clinical. Such a great time.
Mckenzie is a running 10. I think he needs to play a more traditional game against the top teams. You have to pick and choose when to run and kick more carefully. But that’s also a coaching issue.
Great player, great character and story teller, for me when he was at his peak, AM was as good as DC insomuch as the way he controlled games and had flashes of brilliance. Really enjoyable episode, thank you.
A bit of a small detail question but..., ever since I saw Graeme Bachop at the 1995 WC, I've always thought he had the most incredible pass I've ever seen. It would have been interesting (for me!) to hear Mehrtens compare Bachop's and Smith's passing skills (and indeed the skills of other 9s he played with).
'94 Canterbury was a special time & not just for Mehrts choirboy haircuts :) Tremendous discussion. The only crusaders game I saw was against NSW & all I rem was: 'man, Norm Maxwell is playing beast mode all game!' Great stuff
That Crusader dynasty gave me nightmares. Such a great team!!!! Geeezzz I miss the SuperRugby. The funny thing is we also hated the Bulls, so most of us appreciated the bird being flipped. From a Cats supporter (sadface)
Back then it was player vs player Today it’s more like player vs referees Today’s game totally sucks can’t watch it anymore talk about little gremlins wanting to control everything 🤜🤜🤜🤜🐁
If Australia won, they would have of course deserved it. New Zealand cannot score in the last 20, for love or money. I reckon Australia were unlucky. DMac could be the Kwagga of bench players for NZ
Maca is definitely a bench player he loves coming of the bench brings just wanna run the ball energy Him starting at 10 is a big no no not good at all and that was way before razor picked him for ABs. I think we all saw it long time ago
Grant Fox was another AMAZING number 10 Not a big runner of the ball or defender like DC Mouanga and Carlos but he controlled a game just perfectly with genius rugby brain Excellent kicking knowing when and where to put a kick in to get the ABs out of trouble and back on and front foot he could change a game with a single kick and that was more important in those days different game now. And out of all of Foxys years at AB number 10 I think only seen him miss 2 conversions ALWAYS cool calm and collected Even though I was only young I remember him saving the ABs by his accurate goal kicking record Foxy is a total legend but couldn’t really tackle for peanuts 😂 lucky he was surrounded by All Blacks legends 100 % heart all of them🫡🫡
Yes, Lochore at the time wanted a 10 who can get us territory, kick goals and command the backline with accurate passing and deft kicking game. In those days, he didn't need to tackle when you have Michael Jones is there. Lol
I was fortunate to be at the 1995 World Cup final and it was a terrific experience! An AB side that was filled with fabulous players and a match which could have gone either way. Andrew Mertens is a great ambassador for our sport and such a pleasure to hear him being so gracious.
Andrew is also one of South Africa's favourites. Most of us still remember him flipping off the Bulls crowd after beating them in Super Rugby with a dropgoal.
Best first five that I have ever seen His ability to set up his outside backs with his bullet pass I have never seen a player who can pass like he did He as real pace & he could read a game
So underrated, his passing was epic. Just watch old all blacks highlights. Him and Cullen were the ones that made me want to play
Great episode lads. To love Merts dry kiwi humour. Can you get Tony Brown on the pod please. Give him a bell and make it happen Marshy!
mehrts is the best passer I've seen, perfect link with some of the GOAT attacking backs ever... grew up kicking like him off the yellow tee, spiralling kicks like him. Had an AB's shirt with 10 on it. Legend. I remember finishing school one day and going to the Tauranga Domain, Mehrts was playing 10 for BoP (I think, he stayed with Titch) coming back from injury. I remember it clearly because he shanked a goal kick from 40m out barely higher than the bar :D Wet, muddy game.
As ever Marshy’s analysis is spot on 👍 including beating the dynamic pricing algorithm of airline ticket sales sites! TOP TIP.
Such a character Merts, remember him being subbed on for DC near the end of his career when they were losing & he just took the game by the scruff of the neck and won it for them 🍺🍺
Wasn't for DC was for Cameron Mckyntrye in the 04 super final and your right he nearly did.
I was so frustrated with Robbie Deans in that game, leaving it so late before bringing Mehrts on. Just 5min earlier and they could’ve won it
@@JamesSmith-qr7be Yeah, I think that's the game, unless he's talking about another one. Carter was playing 12. That was also the infamous Ben Blair horror show.
Merts as a player was great, as a Rugby personality he's on another level. Cheers Merts you cheeky bastard 😁😎👍
So very true Marshy. Mehrts was one of the best ever and DC learned game management from him in those early days. The way Mehrts could pass both ways and cut out two or three men and hit the wing accuratetly and at pace was legendary. And on top of that, Andrew is a great guy.
If South Africa didn't win the 1995 Rugby World Cup the trajectory of the political landscape of the rainbow nation would have been completely different. That is a very big thing to say but every adversity and every national situation after that win was always contextualised within the glorious truth that we had won a Rugby World Cup.
So, in a bizarre way the pain that the All Blacks went through at that stage meant so much for the citizens of a nation that was facing serious challenges and would continue to face serious challenges for years to come.
Additionally, the All Blacks must have been galvanised or something by that experience since they literally dominated the world from that moment onwards.
The media keeps mentioning the period between 2011 and 2018 or whatever but actually a more truthful reflection would be basically 1996 to 2018 and truth be told it's not as if it has dropped off catastrophically since 2018. All that happened is that the rest of the Rugby world got their house in order and are able to compete in the big games.
It is something that gives me nightmares but it has to be said that the All Blacks are the ultimate competitors and if it were not for them my life as a South African would be way less enjoyable.
Cheers 🙏🙏. Respect reciprocated from this end. 👍
Not sure that's quite true. We lost 5 tests in a row in 98, and the wallabies were the dominant southern hemisphere team in the early 00s. Probably from 07 onwards we were undoubtedly the best team in the world despite losing in the world cup.
This was great, thanks Merths
Always loved the Spencer vs Merhts rivilary. Both played different brand of rugby epitomizes the Auckland and Canterbury philosophies of the game. Auckland free flowing, "polynesian" flair, theyll run it from their 22 because they had weapons outwide in the likes of Jonah and Joeli. Canterbury played conservative, terroritory and clinical. Such a great time.
Great show. Thank you.
This TGTBTR is much better than the English one and the aussi equivalent. More relaxed.
It is because Haskell and Tindall is insufferable. Total inability to banter and have an honest chuckle at themselves.
such good content hearing from legends shot lads
Mckenzie is a running 10. I think he needs to play a more traditional game against the top teams. You have to pick and choose when to run and kick more carefully. But that’s also a coaching issue.
Fellas, loving the podcast. Would be good to add clips of some the the yarns post edit. Keep up the great kōrero.
After Carter its Mehrts. He is the man.
Absolute legend. Long live Dr Mehrtens
Great player, great character and story teller, for me when he was at his peak, AM was as good as DC insomuch as the way he controlled games and had flashes of brilliance. Really enjoyable episode, thank you.
Merhtens was a brilliant player. So was the player to his left. Marshall is very interesting to listen to. His rugby brain is very classy.
One of the weirdest of stat's about big Jonah was he never scored a try against the springboks
Or Wales
@@Badmansband😂
@@Badmansbandor USA
crack up. Great stories, keep up the great work with the poddy
A bit of a small detail question but..., ever since I saw Graeme Bachop at the 1995 WC, I've always thought he had the most incredible pass I've ever seen. It would have been interesting (for me!) to hear Mehrtens compare Bachop's and Smith's passing skills (and indeed the skills of other 9s he played with).
'94 Canterbury was a special time & not just for Mehrts choirboy haircuts :)
Tremendous discussion. The only crusaders game I saw was against NSW & all I rem was: 'man, Norm Maxwell is playing beast mode all game!' Great stuff
That wasn’t the 90+ point hiding they gave NSW a week or two out from the finals rounds, was it?
@@rukaks no, I wish. Tht was surreal
That Crusader dynasty gave me nightmares. Such a great team!!!! Geeezzz I miss the SuperRugby. The funny thing is we also hated the Bulls, so most of us appreciated the bird being flipped. From a Cats supporter (sadface)
Great guys
What a wicked little guy!
Funny shit. Cheers merts n all.
Legend M
He also had the advantage of playing behind one of the best packs - and arguably the best ever back row - of all time.
Classic Mehrts
Old Merty Merts. We need you out there pal omfg 🙀
"omfg" = totally inappropriate and very offensive. Not cool.
It is a lot less offensive than genocide which is also very inappropriate. Not cool.
What a player, what a father 😂
Marshys left hand seems to be constantly twitching! 😮
Who can forget that chip kick for James Kerr to score in 98 super rugby final against the JAFAS LOL😂😂😂
Back then it was player vs player
Today it’s more like player vs referees
Today’s game totally sucks can’t watch it anymore talk about little gremlins wanting to control everything 🤜🤜🤜🤜🐁
And of course, let’s not forget …… Merts was born in Durban South Africa !!!
That means his missed the drop goal on purpose 😂
interesting
If Australia won, they would have of course deserved it. New Zealand cannot score in the last 20, for love or money. I reckon Australia were unlucky. DMac could be the Kwagga of bench players for NZ
Maca is definitely a bench player he loves coming of the bench brings just wanna run the ball energy
Him starting at 10 is a big no no not good at all and that was way before razor picked him for ABs. I think we all saw it long time ago
Could have gone another hour
Hey merts my brother took ya wife to the school formal! Wanna know the details???? She ditched him at the door! Hahaha! Classic villa maria
I would not have recognised him.
Grant Fox was another AMAZING number 10
Not a big runner of the ball or defender like DC Mouanga and Carlos but he controlled a game just perfectly with genius rugby brain
Excellent kicking knowing when and where to put a kick in to get the ABs out of trouble and back on and front foot he could change a game with a single kick and that was more important in those days different game now.
And out of all of Foxys years at AB number 10 I think only seen him miss 2 conversions ALWAYS cool calm and collected
Even though I was only young I remember him saving the ABs by his accurate goal kicking record
Foxy is a total legend but couldn’t really tackle for peanuts 😂 lucky he was surrounded by All Blacks legends 100 % heart all of them🫡🫡
Yes, Lochore at the time wanted a 10 who can get us territory, kick goals and command the backline with accurate passing and deft kicking game. In those days, he didn't need to tackle when you have Michael Jones is there. Lol
Reformed1
Exactly. Iceman Kronfeld and Zinny to name a few done their job to a T they were everywhere